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Feb 2024

Last Updated: 28/02/2024

Knaresborough's 70-year-old gantry and signal set for removal

by John Plummer

| 28 Feb, 2024

One of Knaresborough's most familiar sights appears to have reached the end of the line.

Network Rail, which manages the rail network, has applied for listed building consent to remove the railway signal and gantry at the end of platform two of Knaresborough Railway Station.

A design, access and heritage statement submitted to North Yorkshire Council by Network Rail said the items would be replaced with an electronic LED signal.

The statement added:

"From available information, we believe that the existing signal and gantry was installed circa 1951 and is therefore not an original part of the station environment.

"Following a recent structural assessment, the gantry was found to be in poor condition suffering from corrosion in places with further monitoring demonstrating movement in the structure towards the station platform and buildings."

It added:

"The structure was secured with movement braces; however, this solution is not permanent and has resulted in the closure of pedestrian steps from the station subway to platform 2 and a diversionary route for pedestrian access provided."

"The most viable and sustainable option is to replace the signal and gantry with a modern post-mounted LED signal on the opposite platform 2 thus avoiding damage to or the movement of, the lamplighter’s house."

The statement concludes the scheme "would not be detrimental to the architectural quality of the building and would cause minimal harm to the setting given its scale and context within the overall station setting".

'More visually appealing'

Knaresborough Railway Station is a grade two listed building. Originally built in 1865, the current station buildings were rebuilt in 1890.

Andy Grinter, secretary of Knaresborough Civic Society, said:

"Removal of the out of keeping industrial gantry will improve the heritage value of the station and make it more visually appealing.

"We understand that the signal cannot be kept in situ, but we would ask Network Rail to consult with the Friends of Knaresborough Railway Station to see if they have thoughts on how the old signal could be used once decommissioned.”

Mr Grinter added:

“It is reassuring to see that a planning application has been submitted for this work. Especially as previous works carried out by Network Rail, including the erection of part of the gantry, were implemented without a planning application.

"Knaresborough Railway Station is a grade two listed building and the civic society hopes that any future proposals at the station are dealt with in the same way with a full design, access and heritage statement."

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Knaresborough's 70-year-old gantry and signal set for removal

'More visually appealing'

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